Why Dogs Don't Like To Be Declawed

Introduction

Everyone’s been talking about cat declawing recently –
whether or not it’s useful, if it’s harmful for the cats, the reasons for doing
it, etc. But did you know the exact same type of conversation has sprung up
regarding dogs? While dogs don’t traditionally have all their claws removed,
the dewclaw, a specific claw on some (but not all) breeds of dog, has been
removed for various reasons in the past. As an evolutionary holdover, some vets
and breeders see the dewclaw as unnecessary; however, some trainers –
especially those working with dogs for agility courses – think that the dewclaw
shouldn’t be removed.

Why has it been removed in the past? What are the reasons
for removing it? And, most importantly, how does your dog feel about being
declawed? Let’s talk about that.

Book First Walk Free!

The Root of the Behavior

Dogs use their claws in much the same way cats do; their claws
help them balance, grip items, and – in some cases – even climb trees. However,
some owners don’t appreciate the way that dog claws can scratch hardwood floors
or leather furniture, and many breeders see the dewclaw as an evolutionary holdover
that isn’t necessary for today’s domesticated dogs.

Fully declawing your dog, which is called an onychectomy,
can have a severely negative impact on your pet’s mental and physical health
and well-being. It can lead to arthritis, spinal injuries or deformities,
generalized pain, difficulty walking, and more. In fact, fully declawing any
animal, be it dog or cat, is considered animal cruelty in a number of
countries, and has become an increasingly controversial procedure in the US.

Dewclaw removal, while less controversial, has been growing
increasingly unpopular in modern pet owner circles. While there are some legitimate
reasons to remove a dewclaw (for example, if you have a hunting dog and want to
ensure the claw doesn’t get caught or torn on brambles or rough terrain), many
pet owners don’t see a reason to remove their dog’s dewclaws. If you do choose
to remove the dewclaw, doing it when your dog is a puppy is the best bet; doing
it when they’re being spayed or neutered is the second-best time to remove the
claw.

As dewclaw removal becomes less popular, proper nail upkeep
becomes more important. If you’ve chosen to keep your dog’s dewclaws intact,
you must be sure to regularly trim the nail; because it doesn’t make contact
with the ground, it has no natural way of wearing down, and can become ingrown
and infected if left unattended for too long. This will negatively impact your
dog’s ability to move properly, will cause them anxiety and pain, and could
potentially lead to bigger issues if left unattended. If possible, it’s best to
trim your dog’s claws (including the dewclaw) every time you groom your pup,
whether you take them to the groomer’s or handle it yourself. That way, you get
into a routine, and won’t forget to trim those claws back!

Encouraging the Behavior

Some breeds of dogs don’t have dewclaws at all, and
therefore you don’t have to worry about your pet feeling the loss of a claw
many professionals consider unnecessary. However, working-breed dogs are often
recommended to have their dewclaws removed for the reasons mentioned above;
dogs moving quickly through brush may have their dewclaws snag or tear, causing
your dog trauma.

If your dog’s dewclaw is removed properly when they’re a
puppy, they often don’t show any ill effects. However, older dogs may be upset
at losing that appendage, as some dogs can use their dewclaw for holding onto
toys, bones, and other playthings, or even digging food out from between their
teeth. Some dogs also use the dewclaw to scratch more sensitive areas of their
body, such as by their eyes or in their ear, because the claw has less musculature
and is therefore less likely to cause injury.

Whether or not you’ve chosen to remove your dog’s dewclaw
(or declaw them completely, though we absolutely don’t recommend this), it’s
important to monitor your dog’s overall mood, health, and activity levels. We
don’t recommend declawing an older dog or one with pre-existing health issues,
as the strain may cause your dog to have an adverse behavioral reaction.

Other Solutions and Considerations

It’s important to remember that some breeds of dog don’t
have a dewclaw at all, some have dewclaws only on their front legs, and some
have dewclaws on both the front and back legs. Some dogs even have a higher
percentage of being polydactyl pets – they have more than one dewclaw!

If your dog has injured their dewclaw before, you may want
to look into its removal to ensure the safety of your pet. Obviously, having a
part of the body that can be a continuous injury risk is not beneficial to your
dog. Just don’t expect them to enjoy the procedure – or the cone of shame
afterward!

Conclusion

Your dog trusts you, and there are many safe ways to remove
a dewclaw that leave your pet happy and healthy. We highly recommend against
removing all your dog’s claws, or even just front claws, because of the mental
and physical damage this could cause your precious pup. Do your research and
understand what you’re committing your dog to, and you’ll know the best way to
take care of your dog and make sure they’re not in pain or inconvenienced (and
neither are you)!